The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-07
FALL OF A WATER TOWER
THREE MEN KILLED AND FOUR
HURT AT BROWNSVILLE.

Four Others Cling to a Portion of the
Wall Like Human Flies and Are
Finally Rescued With Ropes and
Ladders-Names of All Concerned
Excitement in the Town.
THoMAsvILLE, GA, Dec 6.--Four men
were killed and three injured by the falling
of the water tower here this morning shortly
after 10 o'clock. The accident is attributed
to the removal of the scalfold supports,
which appear in reality to have acted as
braces between the outer walls of the tower
and the centre pier, a solid piece of brick
masonry six feet in diameter Owing to the
strain of hoisting brick to the top of the
tower an oscillating movement was caused,
and the pier tottered and fell, crushing
through the outer wall, carrying the scaf-
folding with seven men to the ground. The
contractor, T. j. p. Rommerdall, and
Joseph Moore white mem, and Linus
Wells colored) were killed instantly, and
three negroes were seriously injured.
HUMAN FLIES.
Four men were left clinging to the wall
of the tower, which was to have been com
pleted this week, having already attained
the height of seventy feet. These men had
Just presence of mind enough to cling to the
wall, and their cries for help were pltiful.
The hook and ladder company was quickly
summoned, and together with the Mayor
and citizens did good work The ladders
were found to reach only forty feet, and
rope was drawn up by means of cord to
which a brick had been fastened, which had
been thrown to the poor fellows perched on
the wall.
A PERnoUs DESCENT.
AS soon as the rope was made secure one
after the other slid down until the ladders
were reached. From there the descent was
easy Two of the rescued were white men
and two colored. Broad street at the tower
has been crowded all day with excited peo-
pie deploring the sad accident, aid it is the
only topic of conversation all over town.
Mr.. Rommerdall came here from Chicago
about three years ago, and has put up
number of buildings and at this time had
the contract for the Masury Hotel and
dwelling, both in course of erection. he
leaves a wife and several children. Mayor
Hopkins says that the damage to the tower
will be repaired and the work completed as
speedily as possible, and that the city may
have a plentiful supply of water this season.
NAMES OF THE RESCUED.
The names of the men clinging to the
wall are:
John Parnell (white), brick mason.
w. Spearing (white), a Northern work
man.
William Walton (colored Joseph Earnest,
(colored).
The negroes injured are:
Kennedy.
Dorsey.
Fabian.
Tate.
In the confusion Fabian was reported
dead, but is still alive, though he is not ex-
pected to live.
ROmmerdall was badly mutilated, his
skull being crushed, his face badly cut, his
arm broken and a hole torn in his side.
Moores skull was cracked, but he did not
show any bruises on his body.
The supposition is that they were standing
together at the top, and fell the whole seven
ty feet.
Rommerdall was partly covered with
bricks when found
Wells was dug out of the debris and ex-
pired in a few minutes.
Fabian was also dug out of the bricks,
and may die any moment.
The other three are injured seriously, but
it is hoped not fatally